Lexmark deals Wipro first loss in CSCC E-League

CEBU, Philippines - The Lexmark Stallions unleashed a sizzling offensive at the endgame to hand the Wipro Tigers their first loss, 71-64, in the 9th CSCC E-League for Basketball last Saturday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Ralph Loren Martinez netted 13 points, while Ian Froi Divinagracia, Niel Tiempo and Giovanni Villahermosa each charted a dozen markers for Lexmark, which now holds the solo second place overall in the Southern Conference with a 4-1 win-loss record, just a full game behind the 5-1 Accenture Sharks.

Lexmark trailed by four points after three quarters, 45-49, but closed the game with a 26-15 blitz to baffle Wipro at the final buzzer.

Neptune Carungay and Ernie Eric Ygot scattered 15 and 14 points, respectively, but couldn't make any different as Wipro saw its three-game winning streak come to screeching halt.

On the other hand, the Teleperfomance Lions chalked up their first win of the season in style, gunning down the Sykes Pioneers, 60-55.

Marco Antonio Real banged in 16 points and issued three assists, Eugenio Paming added 12 points and Jason Delalamon chipped in 10 points on top of four rebounds for Teleperformance, which snapped out of its five-game slump.

Teleperformance was down by five at halftime, 28-23, but changed the complexion of the match in its  favor using a 37-27 run in the last two quarters.

Frederick Montelibano had 15 points, while Reggy Sultan scored 11 for Sykes, which suffered its only second loss in five starts.

In the other game, the ePerformax Reds whipped up a furious offensive storm in the final half to blow away the 1&1 Marauders, 74-69.

1&1 came up with blistering 26-11 rally in the second period to post a 14-point advantage at the break, 47-33, but ePerformax fired back with a 23-13 run in the third canto before launching its final wave of attack, 18-9, to turn the tables on the Marauders.

Man moutain Robert Gilo bulldozed his way to 18 points, six rebounds and four blocks, Romel John Ferrero Lawas finished with 17 points and Floyd Dean Singco contributed 12 points and four steals as ePerformax evened its record to 2-2.

Jan Isiah Gabest and John Paul Talan connived for 30 points for 1&1, which absorbed its third defeat against two victories. (FREEMAN)